LIVE: The Stars of TOC Day 2
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December 28th brings four more match ups with 8 of the top teams in Oklahoma. This post will be updated throughout the day with the players that shined the brightest under the BOK Center lights, from all four games. Also…
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Continue ReadingDecember 28th brings four more match ups with 8 of the top teams in Oklahoma. This post will be updated throughout the day with the players that shined the brightest under the BOK Center lights, from all four games.
Also if you’re reading this and want an individual highlight tape of a player from the tournament, message @OKHoopsReport on X (Twitter) or email SamDuren@gmail.com for a special low priced three game highlight package.
8:30 PM
Crossings Christian 44
Edmond North 63
In a tournament filled with the best players in the state, Dylan Warlick Dylan Warlick 6’6″ | SF Edmond North | 2024 State #226 Nation OK sent a loud message that his candidacy for player of the year honors should be expedited to the front of the line. Crossings obviously had the scouting report on Warlick, sag off and try to limit his damage on drives and post ups. The senior made them pay by hitting three times from distance. All were off the dribble, a perfect display of improved confidence and touch from deep. Once those threes fell, the rest of his game opened up and the senior would score a game high 22 points and hand out 4 assists.
Fellow senior Tramble left the game with an injury in the first half, and Warlick stepped up in the ball handling and creation department as well. The senior has been a flat out producer since stepping on the court as a freshman for Edmond North. And now with even more tools in his expanding bag, Warlick and his North teammates sent a loud statement on Thursday night that Edmond North potentially has a gear that the rest of the state might not be able to touch.
Highlights
5:30 PM
Dale 57
Owasso 60
It was a star making turn for the super sophomore. He would pour in 40 points, including 9 in the final minute and the game winner at the horn. Montonati had a few different stretches where he looked unstoppable. At one point in the third he turned into a foul drawing machine on post ups. He has impeccable footwork for a sophomore when establishing himself, which then turns into a mix of jab steeps, pumpfakes and other body contortions to get the defender off their feet. And his shot always finishes the same way, every time. High. In the past, physical defenders with low centers of gravity have been able to bother him, but the sophomore is already starting to mature and is becoming unbothered by such tactics.
Still just 16 years old, with a Gold Medal, explosive scoring games, one of the biggest game winners in recent years; Montonati is already starting to stack huge accomplishments on his resume that puts him on a McDonald’s All American trajectory.
Forysthe set the tone early in the contest, with a slam shortly after the opening tip. Then a three quickly after. But it would be hard sledding for the senior following that. Owasso’s size, verticality principles and the waves of defenders they threw at him slowed down the Dale star. But he still found a way to score, like a running back grinding out the yards he found ways to the free throw line. Over and over. He would score 23 of his 33 points at the line. What was shocking is that he only had one assist, because he routinely made the right play after play and fired some amazing passes to open teammates. A poor shooting day from three was the only black mark on a tough as nails performance from Forsythe.
At OSU Team Camp last June, Kerr drew the ire of his head coach for running the floor and attempting to spot up from three instead of running to the rim. At the time it was a great representation of what was missing from the 6 foot 10 junior’s game. Toughness.
So far through two games at the Tournament of Champions, the script has been flipped. He was a key part of Owasso’s strong interior defense, blocking 5 shots and altering even more. On the offensive end, he’s now attempting to dunk everything. The light has come on for Kerr, as he plays with attitude and aggressiveness around the rim on both ends of the court.
The fellow senior starter for Dale, Jones matched the intensity and grit from Forysthe. He flew all over the floor for loose balls and was often tasked with the difficult task of trying to slow down Montonati. On the offensive end, he scrapped his way to big points in the second half with putbacks and hustle in transition. Just like Forysthe, Jones played with a fearlessness that allowed the Pirates to compete with the bigger Rams.
1:30 PM
Metro Christian 59
Hale 75
It was the perfect bounce back performance from last night’s loss for the explosive scoring senior. Early on when the Hale offense was lagging, it was big three pointers that kept their head above water. Then he exploded in the third frame to give his team a double digit lead with 8 minutes remaining. The scoring came in bunches and with variety, as any “microwave” scorer should. One of the best moments came to close out the third, when he attacked hitting a floater with about 40 seconds remaining. Then with the horn about to sound, he closed it out with a dagger stepback, above the break three. Cold blooded play from one of the best scorers in the state.
Two other aspects stood out beyond Lewis’ scoring. First was the 6 assists, he’s playing with his head up in transition and in general is more of a combo guard than the off the ball, score first attacker he was as an underclassmen. The second was him growing throughout the game on the defensive end. There were a couple moments where Lewis was isolated by a more physical guard, and he gave up easy scores. While it was a sign he’ll need to get stronger at the next level, the senior battled through it and adjusted. He ended up forcing a pair of second half turnovers by using his quick hands and timing to knock the ball loose when isolated. Tenacity and girt, two important aspects to grow as a defender.
It was a complete performance for one of the state’s best seniors and the box score back it up as he finished with 30 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals.
Highlights
There were plenty of “Wow” plays in the Thursday afternoon contest that support the belief that Adams has one of the highest ceilings of any player in Oklahoma. The biggest came in the fourth when he grabbed a board off the rim, then weaved through defenders and punched home a slam. It was the perfect cap for the improved energy level he played with during Hale’s dominating second half. He was more active on the glass, punched home a few different dunks and used easy scoring around the rim to open up his mid-range jumper out of post ups and more advanced moves. When Adams plays inside-out, there’s few teams in Oklahoma that can stop him.
One area to keep an eye on, Adams has a tendency to try to leak out or gamble for defensive steals. It allowed Metro’s size to be very active on the offensive glass with 14 boards. Against even bigger and more athletic teams, it would be a bigger issue for Hale.
It’s crazy to think after a 19 point and 13 rebound performance that a player could be better. But that’s how good Adams could be. And tomorrow is a big opportunity on if he can build off this strong performance against a stern test in a Class 4A State Tournament quality game against Weatherford.
Even though foul trouble limited him in the second quarter, Powell bounced back from last night’s rough performance with a 24 point and 11 rebound performance. When given mismatches around the rim, he often scored quickly. And showed off the springs in his legs with a backdoor slam. Turnovers plagued him, especially in the second half. But he kept chopping wood for Metro as their most consistent threat throughout the game.
Highlights
10:30 AM
Okay 47
Weatherford 65
Nickson quickly had the Eagles out to a 9-0 lead. There was an early bully ball score, but as always there was variety to his scoring package. He has a smooth pull up, that when defenders played off him to account for his quickness and strength, he buried the jumpers over their outstretched arms. Along with his effortless looking scoring, the junior wing stuffed the stat sheet with 8 rebounds and 4 assists, to go along with 16 points. The passing often involved him looking to push it ahead with outlets, or dropping pinpoint dimes to cutting teammates in the halfcourt.
The eastern Oklahoma small town standout continues to be one of the most of the electrifying guards at the event. He showed off the three main facets of his game. He drilled his quick release three pointers. Displayed outstanding vision and touch on his passes, with transition feeds and one very great drive that finished with an outstanding one handed pass kick out to an open shooter. Then the bundle of energy that is Davis, even was a havoc causer on the defensive end. Popping up with quick hands, instinct steals in the backcourt. The Mustangs continue to battle it out with the bigger programs, with showtime Davis at the helm.
Highlights
With a gigantic and athletic frontline by Class 4A standards, it’s fair to wonder if the Eagles draw straws in the lockerroom pregame to see which player gets to assault the rims. Today it was Ethan Sage Ethan Sage 6’7″ | SF Weatherford | 2025 State OK ‘s turn. Including a very nice two handed flush off a backdoor cut to end the first half. He got in on the dunking action again in the second half with a putback. His activity level on the offensive glass was off the charts as he did a lot of his damage when crashing the glass hard.
Similar to the notes on his twin brother from yesterday, Sage is a great 2025 wing prospect, who is gaining athleticism as he grows into his lanky body. He was an inside-outside threat, with 15 points and a game high 9 rebounds. The size, athleticism and versatility Sage and his brother bring to Weatherford is rare find for a small town program.